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Biomedical subjects

J I Bisson

Publications and source records attributed to J I Bisson.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Experience of implementing an adult educational approach to treating anxiety disorders.

This paper describes the background to the development and delivery of a self-help package for anxiety disorders. Evidence of effectiveness is summarized. The paper outlines the intervention and describes the experience of two mental health nurses, who set out to assess its acceptability, evaluate its outcomes in routine clinical practice and assess the feasibility of its delivery by mental health nurses. Acceptability of the intervention was high, judged by retention and attendance rates. The pilot study produced promising clinical outcomes, especially for people with depression secondary to anxiety. Clinical measures showed significant improvements from pre-course to 6-month follow-up in anxiety, psychological well-being and depression. The outcomes suggest that appropriately trained mental health nurses could deliver the intervention as a routine treatment. The paper concludes by discussing future plans, including a randomized controlled trial and implementation in primary care.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The prevalence and predictors of psychological distress in patients with early localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of psychopathology, traumatic distress and quality of life in men with newly diagnosed clinically localized prostate cancer, the effect on these of a consultation in a combined-specialist early-prostate clinic, and predictors of psychopathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients were recruited from the combined clinic; they completed a battery of questionnaires including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the revised Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, before their first appointment. Two weeks later they completed the HADS, IES and a patient-satisfaction survey. RESULTS: The overall level of psychopathology varied among the questionnaires used, from 0% on the HADS depression scale, 8% on the HADS anxiety scale and 14% on the IES. Anxiety and traumatic stress symptoms were commoner than depressive symptoms. The quality-of-life scores showed a relatively good level of functioning. Pre-morbid factors and disease status did not predict psychological distress. Younger age was mildly predictive of poorer psychological functioning. Anxiety symptoms reduced slightly after a joint clinic appointment, whereas depressive symptoms showed a slight increase. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that men with early localized prostate cancer have low levels of psychopathology overall. However, some men experience distressing psychological symptoms and it is important that future research is conducted to help develop clear guidelines on the optimal methods of detecting and managing men with prostate cancer who have mental health difficulties.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Posttraumatic stress reactions after injury.

BACKGROUND: Many individuals experience psychological distress after injury. It is unclear whether poor psychological outcome reflects pretrauma variables. METHODS: In a prospective, cross-sectional study, 152 accident and emergency department patients with physical injuries and an acute stress reaction completed trauma and psychometric questionnaires, including the Impact of Event Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Although levels of pretrauma social, occupational, and familial functioning were high, and the modal Abbreviated Injury Scale score was 1, there were high levels of psychological distress at 3 weeks. Mean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety and depression scores were 11.8 (SD, 4.4) and 8.7 (SD, 4.4), respectively. The mean total Impact of Event Scale score was 46.0 (SD, 16.1). Stepwise linear regression analysis found unemployment and previous history of trauma to be associated with increased symptoms of traumatic stress. CONCLUSION: Trauma patients with high levels of pretrauma functioning may develop acute psychological distress. Unemployment and previous trauma increase risk. Psychological wellbeing should be considered in routine injury assessments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Follow-up study of British military hostages and their families held in Kuwait during the Gulf War.

On 2 August 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait and held hostage all its inhabitants. Amongst those forced to stay were 71 British servicemen and their families who were held hostage for up to four and a half months. This study investigated the mental health status of this group of individuals at 6 and 18 months after the final hostage was released. Participants completed the Impact of Event Scale and the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire at both 6 and 18 months. In addition they completed a questionnaire regarding background factors, the dimensions of the trauma and the effects of their hostage experience. The Impact of Event Scale scores changed little over time whereas the General Health Questionnaire scores reduced significantly (p = .001) over the 12-month period suggesting that despite ongoing intrusive and avoidance phenomena levels of psychological distress did reduce. Those variables most strongly associated with a poor psychological outcome were witnessing physical violence and perceived deterioration in physical and mental health. Poor outcome at 6 months was strongly correlated with poor outcome at 18 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Psychological sequelae of facial trauma.

BACKGROUND: Facial trauma is common in accidents and assaults and can be accompanied by distressing psychological sequelae. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of case notes followed by a prospective assessment of consecutive facial trauma victims was performed to determine the prevalence and detection rate of psychological sequelae. RESULTS: Only 8 of 47 case notes (17%) contained any reference to mental state. Forty-three patients completed initial assessment and 7-week questionnaires. Twelve (27%) were suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder at 7 weeks. Factors significantly associated with poorer outcome were higher initial Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale scores, assault injury fractures, and prediction of psychological sequelae by junior oral surgeons. CONCLUSION: More than one-quarter of victims of facial trauma in this study developed posttraumatic stress disorder, documentation of which was poor. The study suggests that psychological sequelae can be predicted using simple measures such as a basic initial assessment by nonmedically qualified personnel.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Randomised controlled trial of psychological debriefing for victims of acute burn trauma.

BACKGROUND: Psychological debriefing (PD) is widely used following major traumatic events in an attempt to reduce psychological sequelae. METHOD: One hundred and thirty-three adult burn trauma victims entered the study. After initial questionnaire completion, participants were randomly allocated to an individual/couple PD group or a control group who received no intervention; 110 (83%) were interviewed by an assessor blind to PD status three and 13 months later. RESULTS: Sixteen (26%) of the PD group had PTSD at 13-month follow-up, compared with four (9%) of the control group. The PD group had higher initial questionnaire scores and more severe dimensions of burn trauma than the control group, both of which were associated with a poorer outcome. CONCLUSION: This study seriously questions the wisdom of advocating one-off interventions post-trauma, and should stimulate research into more effective initiatives.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of PTSD.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1996

Early psychological reactions in a group of individuals with pre-existing and enduring mental health difficulties following a major coach accident.

BACKGROUND: The impact of major trauma on individuals with pre-existing and enduring mental health difficulties is poorly understood. METHOD: Twenty individuals with pre-existing and enduring mental health difficulties were assessed with the Clinician Administered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale, the 28-item version of the GHO, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the impact of Event Scale between four and eight weeks after their involvement in a major coach accident. RESULTS: Ten (50%) individuals satisfied the full DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The questionnaire scores indicated a high level of psychological suffering among the group. On dividing the sample into those individuals with previous diagnosis of anxiety or depressive disorders and those with a previous diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia, the schizophrenia group displayed less marked psychological sequelae on all measures. CONCLUSION: There was a high incidence of early psychological sequelae among the group as a whole. Some diagnoses (e.g. depression and anxiety) may predispose to psychological sequelae while others (e.g. chronic schizophrenia) may not.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1995

Dealing with disasters: does psychological debriefing work?

The psychological aftermath of disaster causes significant long-term psychiatric disability and suffering to victims and rescuers alike. This paper examines the effectiveness of psychological debriefing (PD), an early intervention that is widely used and claimed to reduce long-term psychiatric morbidity in the wake of disaster. Numerous factors hamper the design of methodologically sound research in this field and there is a lack of controlled studies supporting the efficacy of PD. Further research is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of any immediate psychological intervention before significant resources are allocated to their routine provision.

Crisis Intervention↗
PubMed1995

Taped imaginal exposure as a treatment for post-traumatic stress reactions.

The efficacy of taped imaginal exposure as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Reactions (PTSR) was assessed in eighteen consecutive outpatients, including Gulf War veterans. Detailed present-tense scripts of their personal traumatic experiences were prepared and in all but two cases audio-taped and listened to regularly. The severity of PTSR and standard questionnaire scores (including the IES, BDI, GHQ8 and the SCL 90) all showed statistically significant improvements post treatment and at three month follow-up. This case series confirms the potential efficacy of taped imaginal exposure in the treatment of full and partial forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The simplicity of its administration and acceptability to the individual suggest that it is worthy of more thorough research.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A comparison of carbohydrate deficient transferrin with other markers of alcohol misuse in male soldiers under the age of thirty.

The paper describes a study of 58 consecutive male soldiers under 30 years old admitted to an alcohol treatment unit in London, and 51 age- and gender-matched controls to compare the efficacy of isoelectric focusing, a non-quantitative measure of carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT), with other markers of alcohol misuse. The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire, the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test and the CAGE questions were all more sensitive in detecting alcohol misusers than the laboratory markers measured. At standard cut-off levels, the laboratory markers yielded low sensitivities even in those subjects who admitted to drinking over 80 g alcohol daily for at least 3 weeks immediately prior to the study. CDT was the most sensitive (31%), followed by mean cell volume (14%) and gamma glutamyl transferase (11%). The questionnaires and laboratory markers had good specificities.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Automatism and post-traumatic stress disorder.

A soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who committed a criminal act during a dissociative episode is described. This report and other published cases indicate that criminal acts can occur during dissociative episodes among people who suffer from PTSD. However, the evidence suggests that such incidents are rare and may be overemphasised. There often seems to be little relationship between the crimes committed by war veterans and their war experiences.

Adult↗